Troubled star Amy Winehouse has appeared in court and denied assaulting a woman after a charity ball.

The 25-year-old is accused of attacking dancer Sherene Flash after the singer had performed at the End of Summer Ball in Berkeley Square, London, on September 25.

Ms Flash has alleged she asked for a photograph and that the Rehab singer initially complied before events turned nasty.

Wearing a colourful, floral outfit and sporting her trademark beehive hair-do, Winehouse stood in the dock at Westminster Magistrates' Court and gave her name in a clear confident voice as "Amy Jade Civil."

She split with husband Blake Fielder-Civil in November last year. Her father Mitch, who was in court, blamed him for his daughter's drug addiction and said he wanted him out of her life.

The singer appeared to be listening to the proceedings but fidgeted in her seat, adjusting the straps on her dress. Asked how she pleaded, she said: "Not guilty."

Earlier, her lawyer, Mark Haslam, apologised to District Judge Timothy Workman for the singer's late arrival at court. He said she left home at 8.15am but experienced some delay, adding: "I do apologise to the court on her behalf."

Winehouse's father Mitch attended the hearing.

The case was adjourned to July 23 at the same court.

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